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Treehopper Recon redundant bridge ideas?

GeoffJenkins

GeoffJenkins

New Member
Joined
Feb 5, 2021
Messages
14
I'm incredibly happy with my Recon saddle with webbing bridge + bungee belt mod. Now I need to figure out how to equip a shorter secondary bridge for rappelling. I primarily one-stick, and I'd like to be able to switch into rappel mode (currently, ATC + autoblock on lineman's loop) without unloading my main bridge. This is the only reason I'm not switching to an adjustable bridge. TIA.
 
I have a similar challenge with the Recon. Unfortunately, I haven't figured out a good option. The plates really don't lend themselves to connecting to anything else. I'm also reluctant to try to use the linemans loops given their position.

I will definitely be following though to see if anyone comes up with anything.

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Is it possible to fashon the tag ends into a secondary "bridge"? I use a Recon but I don't repel so I don't know if it's feasible but I'm thinking about something like the tag ends tied into loops that you can clip a carabiner to. You'd most likely need to buy longer webbing to construct it.
IDK if this would work, just thought I'd throw it out there.
 
I haven't had a chance to play with mine yet. I cut a second chunk of webbing a few feet longer than the original (used) bridge my Recon came with, and tied the ends in a water knot creating a redundant short bridge. Right now the knot is on the bridge section, but I think I'm going to adjust it so the knot is on the outside of one of the plates. With this setup you can adjust the length by shortening one and lengthening the other, but obviously you can't adjust them independently of each other. Also you can't adjust either while they're weighted.

I haven't had a chance to try this second idea yet, but it looks like I could I could take an 18"-24" sling and weave them through the plates in such a way that a few inches of sling would extend past the plate. I could then attach a couple of redundant, adjustable rope bridges to the slings. Since the plates are designed for webbing instead of rope I don't want to mess with tying rope directly to them.
 
Allegheny Tom said:
Is it possible to fashon the tag ends into a secondary "bridge"? I use a Recon but I don't repel so I don't know if it's feasible but I'm thinking about something like the tag ends tied into loops that you can clip a carabiner to. You'd most likely need to buy longer webbing to construct it.
IDK if this would work, just thought I'd throw it out there.
Click to expand...
I extended the tag ends into a load rated waist belt. I guess this could be used as a second bridge.

Sold please close Recon Saddle by Treehopper

Lightly used Recon Saddle for sale. In excellent condition. This saddle has the original Recon waist belt and webbing bridge. It also includes a extended webbing bridge with a quick release buckle supplied by Mark at Treehopper. It also included custom removable leg straps with 4,000 Lb. webbing...
saddlehunter.com
 
GeoFish said:
I extended the tag ends into a load rated waist belt. I guess this could be used as a second bridge.

Sold please close Recon Saddle by Treehopper

Lightly used Recon Saddle for sale. In excellent condition. This saddle has the original Recon waist belt and webbing bridge. It also includes a extended webbing bridge with a quick release buckle supplied by Mark at Treehopper. It also included custom removable leg straps with 4,000 Lb. webbing...
saddlehunter.com
Click to expand...
Climbers tie loops in tubular webbing all of the time don't they? Seems to me that the tag ends of the Recon bridge could be constructed into something for additional tasks. Maybe tie loops with the appropriate knots at the length you need them and hook into them with a quick link or carabiner, or ??

Something else that I've noticed with a Recon bridge over the years is that there seems to be multiple ways to route the bridge webbing thru the plates. Is it possible that 2 separate pieces of webbing can be threaded thru and routed in such a way that they won't slip? I've not tried that so it would have to be tested at ground level and closely monitored for safety or slippage.
Routing extra webbing thru the plates would most likely require removing the rubber coating from the plates in order to "open up" the slots to accommodate the extra webbing. I think Mark cringes when I suggest that, but I removed the rubber from mine a couple years ago and I actually like it better that way.
 
Iron_llama said:
I haven't had a chance to play with mine yet. I cut a second chunk of webbing a few feet longer than the original (used) bridge my Recon came with, and tied the ends in a water knot creating a redundant short bridge. Right now the knot is on the bridge section, but I think I'm going to adjust it so the knot is on the outside of one of the plates. With this setup you can adjust the length by shortening one and lengthening the other, but obviously you can't adjust them independently of each other. Also you can't adjust either while they're weighted.

I haven't had a chance to try this second idea yet, but it looks like I could I could take an 18"-24" sling and weave them through the plates in such a way that a few inches of sling would extend past the plate. I could then attach a couple of redundant, adjustable rope bridges to the slings. Since the plates are designed for webbing instead of rope I don't want to mess with tying rope directly to them.
Click to expand...
My best thought so far also uses a sling. I figure I can just slide one through the plates, clip my rappel carabiner into the sling and ATC, and go. I like your idea of using a sling to permanently set up two bridges. At that point, I may as well just remove the webbing bridge and use two rope bridges through the plates. I don't see why there should be any rating issues with that, but I bet it would be a pain to keep the plates from leaning too much when the main/redundant bridge is loaded.
 
Allegheny Tom said:
Climbers tie loops in tubular webbing all of the time don't they? Seems to me that the tag ends of the Recon bridge could be constructed into something for additional tasks. Maybe tie loops with the appropriate knots at the length you need them and hook into them with a quick link or carabiner, or ??

Something else that I've noticed with a Recon bridge over the years is that there seems to be multiple ways to route the bridge webbing thru the plates. Is it possible that 2 separate pieces of webbing can be threaded thru and routed in such a way that they won't slip? I've not tried that so it would have to be tested at ground level and closely monitored for safety or slippage.
Routing extra webbing thru the plates would most likely require removing the rubber coating from the plates in order to "open up" the slots to accommodate the extra webbing. I think Mark cringes when I suggest that, but I removed the rubber from mine a couple years ago and I actually like it better that way.
Click to expand...
I'd rather not remove the rubber if I don't have to. The only time I considered it was when I used the cobra-clip belt, not because it was squeaky, but because it made independently adjusting my panels very difficult. The bungy belt mod fixed that issue for me though. So far, it seems like the extended webbing may be the cleanest solution. Now to decided how I feel about both of my tethers being formed from the same material (if it breaks, do both bridges fail?) which has a water knot tied into it.
 
GeoffJenkins said:
Can you explain how you would use this to solve the issue I'm discussing?
Click to expand...
If I understand your question correctly, you want a 2nd, short, temp bridge to use while rappelling and not a permanent bridge that'll always be in use.

Last year outa boredom, I was looking at how to make an emergency replacement bridge using the gear I have on me. The idea being what would someone do if their bridge became damaged while hunting due to nicking it with a broadhead, etc. Using your linemans belt, you can make an expedient, replacement bridge.
 
MNFarmHunter said:
If I understand your question correctly, you want a 2nd, short, temp bridge to use while rappelling and not a permanent bridge that'll always be in use.

Last year outa boredom, I was looking at how to make an emergency replacement bridge using the gear I have on me. The idea being what would someone do if their bridge became damaged while hunting due to nicking it with a broadhead, etc. Using your linemans belt, you can make an expedient, replacement bridge.
Click to expand...
I understand you now. Thanks. The challenge with this idea is that my Recon saddle has webbing plates that are snug when loaded with the webbing. There is seemingly no room for tying in another bridge while the main bridge is present.
 
Excited for two reasons. 1) just made my first order with EWO because I wanted to get a smaller diameter rappel rope (going from 40' 10.5mm to 40' of 9mm Canyon Elite). While ordering it, I was finally able to justify their shipping fees for several add-ons, one of which is some mil-spec tubular webbing. While waiting for this to arrive, I decided to work on comfort in the Recon by adjusting my bridge length, which led to 2) the extra tag ends seems like the simplest option to create a redundant bridge, although it's more like bridge loops. Clearly I need longer webbing to make this safe (my stock Recon webbing is ~3.5'), but as you can see here, it will absolutely work. I'll use 1 or 2 figure 8 knots to create the loops on the longer webbing, but this is great!received_720038882381909.jpegreceived_1216272769142823.jpeg
 
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GeoffJenkins said:
Excited for two reasons. 1) just made my first order with EWO because I wanted to get a smaller diameter rappel rope (going from 40' 10.5mm to 40' of 9mm Canyon Elite). While ordering it, I was finally able to justify their shipping fees for several add-ons, one of which is some mil-spec tubular webbing. While waiting for this to arrive, I decided to work on comfort in the Recon by adjusting my bridge length, which led to 2) the extra tag ends seems like the simplest option to create a redundant bridge, although it's more like bridge loops. Clearly I need longer webbing to make this safe (my stock Recon webbing is ~3.5'), but as you can see here, it will absolutely work. I'll use 1 or 2 figure 8 knots to create the loops on the longer webbing, but this is great!View attachment 66673View attachment 66674
Click to expand...
That's what I was trying to describe in post #4.
Nice mod.
 
Please post the final result. I get the general idea, bit I'm not 100% clear on the details of what you did here.

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This looks like it should work well. Is the 'biner for rappelling, and the bridge for hunting? My only concern with this would be knocking the 'biner against your stick while climbing but you could minimize that by tucking it into your belt. You could also replace the 'biner with a small sling or continuous loop, but you'd still need a 'biner to hold your descender.
 
Iron_llama said:
This looks like it should work well. Is the 'biner for rappelling, and the bridge for hunting? My only concern with this would be knocking the 'biner against your stick while climbing but you could minimize that by tucking it into your belt. You could also replace the 'biner with a small sling or continuous loop, but you'd still need a 'biner to hold your descender.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't climb with the rappel carabineer in-place. I thought about joining the loops with a continuous loop, or about tying the redundant bridge in a similar way as iron_llama mentioned, but I like the idea of having tag ends because I can tuck them away until I need them. My gear goal this year has been to improve redundancy while cleaning up the setup.

I got my new tubular webbing in over the weekend. I'll try to post a picture of everything soon.
 
Just get a GT Climbing Climb rated loop 24" and use that. Girth hitch one side to your bridge loop and climb rated biner to the other side. Should be plenty tight enough for a one stick climbing bridge.
 
woodsdog2 said:
Just get a GT Climbing Climb rated loop 24" and use that. Girth hitch one side to your bridge loop and climb rated biner to the other side. Should be plenty tight enough for a one stick climbing bridge.
Click to expand...
The Recon has plates for the bridge and not loops so this wouldn't work for that saddle.

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